Bread maker inks deal to move bulk of operations to New Brunswick

A Long Island-based bread products maker has inked a 300,000-square-foot lease that will help it move most of its operations to a New Brunswick manufacturing facility.

The company, Wenner Bread Products, is now retrofitting the space at 571 Jersey Ave. and is expected to occupy the facility in the coming months, according to brokerage firm Lee & Associates. When complete, the building will be a food production, baking, freezing and distribution facility that will house up to 250 jobs.

The news comes after state officials in January awarded Wenner Bread a $30 million, 10-year Grow New Jersey tax credit for its decision to expand. The 58-year-old Bayport, New York-based firm, which makes breads and frozen dough, will still maintain operations on Long Island but is moving the bulk of its operations to New Brunswick.

Lee & Associates, which represented Wenner Bread, said the preparations also include realigning and reviving an inactive railroad spur leading onto the property.

“It is not often that large companies like Wenner Bread Products make a big move to New Jersey,” Richard Marchisio, Lee & Associates president, said in a prepared statement. “This deal has propelled great interest from other New York companies and we anticipate it will open the door for future activity in New Jersey. We see this as a huge stimulus for business growth in our state.”

Property owner TA Associates was represented by Cushman & Wakefield, while the property manager is Kwarter Associates, according to a news release. Wenner Bread retained Ted Zangari of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. as legal counsel for lease negotiations and incentives negotiations with the state Economic Development Authority.